The tides are turning for Indian cruises. What was once a high-end experience is becoming increasingly affordable, attracting a wider demographic and shaking off its elitist image.
This shift is reflected in recent figures — cruise tourism in India has hit a new high with footfall reaching 4.7 lakh in 2023-24, exceeding pre-pandemic levels. Government data reveals a surge in domestic tourists, their share increasing by nearly 85 per cent compared to 2019-20. International tourist footfall also increased more than threefold in 2023-24 compared to 2022-23.
The cruise industry supports an impressive 1.2 million jobs and contributes a staggering $150 billion to the global economy annually.
The number of cruise ships plying in Indian waters is set to soar from 208 in 2023 to 500 by 2030 and further escalate to 1,100 by 2047. Concurrently, the influx of passengers utilising these cruise services is expected to witness a significant surge, projected to rise from 950,000 in 2030 to a…